Meet Ami Norton | Mom, Partner, Attorney, Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ami Norton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ami, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I quit my job in public accounting, I knew I wanted to start my own business in a completely different field for one purpose – to help vulnerable women that did not have access to education and opportunities that the women in public accounting had. My decision to quit my job was based on the bias I experienced and witnessed against women in the workplace. The biases were not just against the moms, but the young, child-less women as well. I had a decision to make whether I wanted to stay in my position and fight upper management from within to make the workplace more equitable for my female colleagues, and risk my own career – or trust that the women I left behind were strong enough to fight the battle themselves, and pivot to help women that don’t have a college degree, graduate degree, CPA, JD, etc. The women in my former workplace earned enough to support themselves and their families – I was growing more concerned about the women that were not in a similar position.

The company I wanted to start went through a few iterations to get to where I am, but through each iteration, I focused on whether the business would help underprivileged women.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For over 10 years, I worked in public accounting as an attorney. The job worked well in the beginning – I am an attorney that enjoys numbers, and I am not really a risk taker, so the steady employment, training, career path of the large public accounting companies worked for me. The job offered great work life balance and maternity leave compared to law firms too. Overall, public accounting was a great fit logistically early in my career.

However, as I mentioned before, the more experience I had, and the higher up I was promoted, I unfortunately witnessed sexism against women employees often – from daily work to annual reviews and promotions. It was hard realizing this behavior was still prevalent among professionals in this day and age. At first, I took it upon myself to combat it as much as possible in the closed door meetings, and mentor young women personally as needed/requested. I am proud of what I accomplished in the corporate world, and for the many young women I had the privilege of working with, and in a way, I am happy I went through that experience, because without it, I may not have quit to start Lily & Ram!

From working in a corporate setting, where most of the people I worked with had an advanced college degree, I realized that an education alone does not earn women the respect they deserve professionally or much less, fair pay. Fair pay is a product of proper valuation of someone’s time and skill. I started Lily & Ram to help women and artisans achieve fair pay for a service predominantly performed by women. Women should not have to change who we are and what we do to achieve fair pay and equal value in society. My goal is to train and empower local artisans and redistribute the payout for products based on value, not greed. With our training, local women can work from home, with flexible timing and earn fair pay by helping make high quality artisanal goods like quilts, aprons, scarves, zippered bags, etc. Lily & Ram offers the training and materials needed for people to make $15/hr or more based on skill level.

When we purchase items from large businesses, or even small businesses that leverage labor from abroad – those skilled artisans do not get paid for their value, much less fair pay. Lily & Ram aims to start changing things at home first, locally within Houston, so that the price the consumer pays doesn’t change, but the pay the artisan receives is in line with the value provided. Also, Lily & Ram makes a notable donation to local charities with each purchase. Our transparent pricing holds us accountable to our purpose and goals.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely hit up all the local museums as well as the zoo! Our family loves visiting HMNS, and the Fine Arts museum. It’s amazing how each visit is a different experience because so much of it is based on your personal perspective in that given moment. We’d have to drive out to visit the NASA Space Center of course as well – with all the new space technology being developed, it’s exciting to have some of it in our backyard!

I’d try to catch the open house at Sawyer Yards as well. We would also have to hit up an Astros game! As far as food and drink – we don’t eat out as much, but St. Arnold’s is my current go to, great outdoor dining, food and beer of course!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I know it sounds obligatory, but there is no way I could have done this without my partner and husband, Chris. While I have had many supportive people in my life, no one compares to his unwavering and unconditional support of me. He has always believed I am capable of so much more than I often believe – whether in my corporate jobs, learning new skills, or starting my own business.

Lily & Ram would not exist without his support.

Also, my kids help drive me with their encouraging words – because to them I am the best at making things! 🙂

And last, but certainly not least, my parents have supported me in the best ways from childhood and into adulthood. They taught me how to care about those that are less fortunate, and they are the reason I have this opportunity.

Website: lilyandram.com

Instagram: @lilyandram